15 Fall Medical Programs for High School Students
Medical programs for high schoolers give you a chance to explore the field beyond what you can learn from textbooks. By participating in these programs, you can develop skills and meet professionals in medicine. These programs can help you to understand the realities of the medical field and offer you career development advice from mentors.
Many top colleges and organizations offer programs that offer high school students experience in labs, clinics, and research. You can work alongside experts in the field on research projects. If you’re curious about medicine, health sciences, or biotech, these opportunities help you see what a career in the field looks like. To make it easier for you, we’ve narrowed down the top 15 fall medical programs for high school students, including virtual options.
1. The Harris Neuroscience Internship by Stanford
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Highly Selective
Dates: September- May
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
In this program, you’ll engage with Stanford scientists in a structured neuroscience experience. You can join monthly Journal Club meetings where you read and discuss new neuroscience research. You can also attend weekly Grand Rounds, gaining exposure to medical presentations and real case discussions. You’ll get to design a scholarly project around your own interests and also complete a community-based project.
2. Ladder’s Medical Internships
Location: Fully remote — you can participate from anywhere in the U.S.
Cost: Varies depending on program type, financial aid available
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts run year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by each cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students (also undergrads or gap‑year students)
Through this program, you’ll work on real projects for startups or nonprofits in health tech, medicine, or related fields. You will gain skills in research, data analysis, communication, product design, and project planning. You’ll be paired with a manager at the host company and with a Ladder Coach for one-on-one feedback. Additionally, you can join training sessions with other interns, present your final deliverable to stakeholders, and publish your work at the end. You may also attend virtual site visits, professional webinars, or mentor panels.
3. Internships at the American Psychological Association
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Either you get paid or receive academic credit
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round internships available, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Varies according to your opportunity
Eligibility: High school students need to submit D. C. Work Permit and must reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer
The internship program allows you to complete credit-eligible tasks in psychology research, policy, or communications. You’ll learn data analysis, writing, and program evaluation and receive mentorship from APA staff. You may contribute to APA reports, help organise webinars, or support outreach to communities. Additionally, you’ll work with psychologists and policy makers, attend internal meetings, and present draft findings or briefs.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 25 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple year-round cohorts; Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort; Fall cohort: August 24
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in any high school; must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
In this program, you can conduct independent research in medicine, biology, or related fields under the guidance of a PhD mentor and learn how to design research questions, analyze findings, and write a scholarly paper. The program includes one-on-one mentorship, writing coaching, and workshops on the research process. You’ll get a chance to publish or present your work through Lumiere’s symposium or partner journals. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with experts, attend academic sessions, and receive structured feedback.
5. Clinical Skills Internship - Fall Intensive Program by Stanford
Location: Virtual Course
Cost: Application fee of $35 + Program fee of $1980
Cohort Size: 24
Dates: September 10 - November 12
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and undergraduate pre-med students who are 16 or older and have preferably completed a high school biology course
In this 10-week live, interactive program taught by Stanford faculty, you’ll practice core medical skills such as taking vital signs, patient history, and differential diagnosis. You will participate in organ dissections, suturing, and case presentations. Each week, you’ll work through real-time clinical scenarios and receive mentorship from medical school faculty. You will be a part of group activities simulating teamwork in healthcare, giving you experience in collaborative problem-solving.
6. Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science - SUPREMES
Location: Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 13–15
Dates: Academic Year Program (September-May)
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students in the Milwaukee area with a 3.5 CGPA and completed or currently enrolled in Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I & II, and two years of English/Composition
Through this program, you can join a research team in medicine, engineering, or biomedical science where you’ll learn how to conduct experiments, analyze data, and present findings. You’ll write a manuscript, prepare a poster, and share your work at the SUPREMES Symposium. You’ll also collaborate with health professionals, shadow researchers, and explore clinical research settings. There is mentorship built into the program, with guidance from faculty and graduate students. In some cases, you may be credited as a co-author on publications.
7. Medicina Academy Apprentice Program (MAAP)
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Free
Cohort Size: Not Specified
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, or 11th grader with a known minimum conversational Spanish with a minimum unweighted 3.0 high school GPA
This program builds a pathway to medical school while focusing on serving underrepresented communities. Twice a month, you’ll take part in medical courses, lab activities, and higher education workshops. You will also attend sessions that include career development and personal growth exercises. You will meet mentors, learn from health professionals, and connect with peers who share your interests. Knowing Spanish helps you engage more deeply with the program content and aligns with its mission of addressing physician shortages in the Hispanic communities.
8. Student Internship Program at UT Health
Location: UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX or Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round program
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school, college, premed, or pre-PhD students
At UT Health San Antonio, you will join a year-round research internship focused on real-world science and work under experienced investigators in fields such as immunology, molecular pathogenesis, or genetics. The projects cover topics such as HIV/AIDS, atherosclerosis, neurobiology, lupus, bone disease, and alcoholism. You’ll gain lab skills, learn research methods, and engage in collaborative projects. The mentors will guide you through discovery-based learning while encouraging creativity and critical thinking.
9. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 2-Dec 3
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students in Duval or St. Johns counties (rising juniors or seniors)
In SPARK, you can join a mentored program in Mayo Clinic labs and spend at least 25 hours per week doing real research in areas such as immunology, cancer biology, AI, neuroscience, or drug development. You will learn lab techniques, critical thinking, scientific writing, and responsible conduct, where you will plan and carry out an independent project and submit it to science fairs. Through this course, you’ll work alongside experienced researchers, attend lab meetings, and collaborate on presentations.
10. Teen Academic Year Program by Niklaus Children’s Hospital
Location: Main campus at 3100 S.W. 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: August - May
Application Deadline: Varies by school
Eligibility: Open to full‑time M‑DCPS high school juniors and seniors with an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or better
You will join a year-long internship focused on healthcare administration and take on real administrative tasks, project coordination, data work, scheduling, and communication. You’ll work 5–10 hours a week in virtual, hybrid, or in-person settings and gain mentorship from hospital staff, and collaborate with professionals across departments. You will also visit hospital sites and attend meetings to observe hospital operations, and you’ll present progress or reports at the end of the program.
11. STEP-UP High School
Location: Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Not Specified
Dates: Academic Year Program (November-April)
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students studying in a high school in the Milwaukee Metropolitan area with a >2.5 CGPA
At the National Institutes of Health, you can take part in a program that focuses on research training to attend academic year workshops covering scientific writing, data analysis, and research ethics. In the summer, you’ll work full-time in a lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin or a partner site. You will get mentorship from faculty and graduate students, shadow professionals, and complete a research project and present your findings at a scientific symposium.
12. HealthLink UCSF Student Leadership
Location: UCSF School of Medicine
Cost/Stipend: Free
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round, including fall sessions occurring every Saturday
Application Deadline: September 10
Eligibility: First-generation college-bound high school students in the Bay Area; sophomores preferred; must be considered disadvantaged and referred by a teacher or partner organization
Through HealthLink at UCSF, you will gain exposure to healthcare careers while building lasting mentorship connections. Every month, you will meet with a graduate student mentor from nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, physical therapy, or medicine. The sessions include workshops on the human body, career-focused activities, and interactive group discussions. You also receive personalized guidance to navigate high school, plan for college, and prepare for professional studies. This program focuses on supporting first-generation and disadvantaged students, making it a meaningful step toward health careers.
13. Internship Opportunities at Dolphin Research Center
Location: Dolphin Research Center, 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL
Stipend: Unpaid
Cohort Size: Not Specified
Dates: September through December
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school graduates, undergraduates, and recent graduates with an interest in marine mammal care, education, or research; international students can apply
At the Dolphin Research Center, you’ll gain hands-on experience in caring for dolphins and sea lions while learning about marine science and conservation. You will work alongside professionals on daily care routines, educational programs, research projects, and help with guest interactions and community outreach, giving you practice in both science communication and teamwork. The program provides you with unique opportunities, including observing animal training sessions and assisting with data collection that supports ongoing research. With housing provided, you live on-site and immerse yourself fully in the experience.
14. High School Student Volunteers by Cedars Sinai
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost: $30 fee for a volunteer jacket
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: October 5 to December 13
Application Deadline: August 6
Eligibility: 14–18 years old and enrolled in high school
In this program, you get to volunteer in hospital departments doing clerical or patient-support tasks and write for magazines, help at nursing stations, or assist with office work. Through weekly shifts, you can build your professionalism, communication, and empathy skills. You’ll be mentored by hospital staff, shadow clinical or administrative roles, visit different units, and see hospital operations up close.
15. Observer Program at Baptist Health
Location: Baptist Health South Florida, Coral Gables, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies according to the professional you are matched with
Application Deadline: Year-round on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students above 16 years of age who have secured a sponsor
Through this fall medical program for high school students, you will shadow clinicians in hospital settings, observing patient rounds and clinical care. You can learn how doctors and staff interact, interpret diagnostics, and deliver care. Through this program, you’ll gain insight into workflows, bedside manners, and professional communication and attend staff meetings, visit departments, and see behind-the-scenes operations. You’ll be mentored by clinical leaders, ask questions in context, and reflect on what you see.
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